NATS statement on the Airline Group share sale to USS

NATS statement on the Airline Group share sale to USS

NATS welcomes USS (The Universities Superannuation Scheme Limited) as shareholders and a member of the Airline Group and we look forward to working with USS representatives on the NATS Board.

It is testament to the strength of the business that an investment in NATS matches the long-term criteria of the UK’s largest pension fund, with their long-term commitment to provide high quality pensions for the higher education sector.

USS acquiring a 49.9% non-controlling stake in The Airline Group, which is a 41.9% shareholder in NATS, is the most significant change in ownership since the company became a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in 2001.

Since then, our delay and safety performance have improved significantly and we have introduced innovative measures to help generate significant fuel savings for our customers, all while reducing the underlying controllable operating costs by around a third in real terms in our regulated business. Our strategy has delivered service innovation to existing customers and attracted a range of new contracts, allowing NATS to strengthen its core UK business whilst expanding to operate internationally in more than 30 countries.

As we continue to expand and develop, USS’s insight and expertise will undoubtedly benefit the continued growth of the business and we look forward to mutual future success.